Nicolas Espinoza
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Creative Director and Business Strategist with a proven track record in brand development, e-commerce operations, and financial modeling. Founded and scaled GxP Collective, a streetwear brand, while leading strategic initiatives at A.N.A Ventures, including market research, investor presentations, and revenue planning. Full-time student-athlete and team captain of UCSC Men’s Volleyball, demonstrating leadership, discipline, and time management. Trilingual and passionate about using business innovation and cross-cultural communication to create real-world impact.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Creative Director & Founder
GxP Collective
New York, New York
06.2024 - Current
- Founded and led GxP Collective, a streetwear brand focused on bold, minimalist designs.
- Directed creative strategy, including product design, branding, and content creation.
- Managed e-commerce operations using Shopify, including inventory, fulfillment, and customer service.
- Built and maintained the brand's social media presence, increasing engagement, and sales.
- Oversaw supplier relations, and ensured timely production and delivery of all merchandise.
Business Development Consultant
A.N.A Ventures
Santa Cruz, CA
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify business opportunities and refine strategy.
- Designed a full investor-ready pitch deck outlining value proposition, target market, and growth plan.
- Built detailed revenue models and financial projections to support funding and operational planning.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align business model and go-to-market strategy with market demand.
Retail Associate
HomeGoods
Santa Cruz, CA
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Managed floor restocking, product organization, and ensured merchandise was visually appealing and accessible.
- Contributed to store layout and display optimization, increasing customer engagement with high-margin items.
Barista
Starbucks
Santa Cruz, CA
05.2021 - 04.2022
- Delivered fast-paced, high-volume customer service while maintaining consistent quality and accuracy.
- Supported daily store operations including opening/closing procedures, inventory management, and cleanliness standards.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow and reduce customer wait times by 15%.
Education
B.A. - Business Management Economics
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06.2025
Skills
- Languages: English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), German (fluent)
- Business Strategy & Market Research
- Financial Modeling & Data Analysis
- Brand Development & Creative Direction
- E-commerce Management & Social Media Marketing
- Project Management & Team Leadership
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Public Speaking & Client Relations
- Customer Service & Workflow Optimization
- Software: R, Stata, Excel, Google Suite
Awards
- Dean’s Honors List, UC Santa Cruz – Fall 2023, Spring 2024
- Google Data Analytics Certificate – Coursera, 2024
- NCAA Scholar-Athlete Award – 2023
- Finalist – UCSC Business Pitch Competition, 2023
- Outstanding Leadership Award – UCSC Men’s Volleyball Team, 2024
- Multilingual Community Outreach Recognition – Shumbashaba, South Africa, 2020
Volunteer Experience
- Shumbashaba & Simunye Outreach — Volunteer Coach & Mentor
Johannesburg, South Africa
Organized volleyball clinics for local youth, teaching fundamentals and teamwork. Led music instruction for underserved communities and fostered cultural understanding through education. - Grey Bears — Facility Volunteer
Santa Cruz, CA
Assisted with facility preparation, sanitation, and event setup. Supported weekly operations to provide essential services to elderly community members. - Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) — Volunteer Member
UC Santa Cruz, CA
Participated in campus-wide outreach events and service initiatives. Promoted leadership, team values, and athlete involvement in community and university engagement.
Extracurricular Activities
UCSC Men’s Volleyball Team — Team Captain, Full-Time Student-Athlete
Santa Cruz, CA | 2021–2025
- Led and mentored a team of 15+ players, developing training plans and fostering team cohesion
- Balanced full-time academic coursework with daily practices, travel, and competition schedules
- Directed team strategy and in-game communication during high-pressure matches
- Contributed to the team’s first win over Menlo College in 8 years through structured preparation and leadership
Timeline
Creative Director & Founder
GxP Collective
06.2024 - Current
Business Development Consultant
A.N.A Ventures
01.2024 - 05.2025
Retail Associate
HomeGoods
06.2022 - 02.2023
Barista
Starbucks
05.2021 - 04.2022
B.A. - Business Management Economics
University of California, Santa Cruz
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